Policy Statement

LoveSpring Nursery School is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all children, staff, and visitors. We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children aged 6 months to 5 years in our care. We operate from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday, and maintain a maximum capacity of 200 children. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection, and justice.

1. Principles & Values

• The child's welfare is paramount above all other considerations
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation, or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
• Working in partnership with children, parents, carers, and other agencies is essential in promoting children's welfare
• All staff share responsibility for safeguarding and child protection
• We maintain staff-to-child ratios in line with Ofsted requirements: 1:3 for children under 2 years, 1:4 for children aged 2-3 years, and 1:8 for children aged 3-5 years

2. Legal Framework

This policy has been developed in accordance with the following legislation and guidance:

• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023
• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework 2024
• Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Coventry Local Authority Safeguarding Partnership requirements

3. Roles & Responsibilities

3.1 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

[Name to be appointed] - Responsible for:

• Leading and coordinating all safeguarding arrangements
• Managing referrals to Coventry Children's Social Care
• Supporting staff with safeguarding concerns and supervision
• Maintaining accurate and confidential safeguarding records
• Liaising with Coventry Local Safeguarding Partners
• Ensuring all staff receive appropriate safeguarding training

3.2 Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

[Name to be appointed] - Supports the DSL and acts in their absence

3.3 All Staff Members

All staff must:

• Complete mandatory safeguarding training upon appointment
• Read, understand, and adhere to this safeguarding policy
• Report any concerns immediately to the DSL/DDSL
• Maintain an attitude of "it could happen here" regarding safeguarding
• Attend regular safeguarding updates and briefings

4. Types of Abuse & Recognition

Staff are trained to recognise signs of:

• Physical Abuse - Unexplained injuries, bruises, burns, fractures
• Emotional Abuse - Persistent emotional maltreatment affecting emotional development
• Sexual Abuse - Forcing or enticing a child to engage in sexual activities
• Neglect - Persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and/or psychological needs
• Domestic Abuse - Witnessing or experiencing domestic violence
• Child Sexual Exploitation - Form of child sexual abuse
• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) - Illegal procedure involving partial or total removal of external female genitalia
• Radicalisation and Extremism - Process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism

5. Recruitment & Staff Selection

LoveSpring Nursery School employs strict safer recruitment practices including:

• Enhanced DBS checks for all staff and regular volunteers
• Thorough verification of qualifications and right to work in the UK
• Comprehensive employment history checks with explanations for gaps
• Two professional references, one from most recent employer
• Probationary periods of 6 months with close supervision and monitoring
• Interview panels include at least one person trained in safer recruitment

6. Staff Training

• All staff complete Level 1 safeguarding training upon appointment
• DSL completes advanced training every 2 years as per statutory requirements
• Annual whole-staff safeguarding updates and refresher training
• Regular safeguarding briefings included in monthly staff meetings
• Prevent Duty awareness training for all staff
• Specific training on FGM, child sexual exploitation, and online safety

7. Procedures for Reporting Concerns

7.1 Immediate Action

If a child is in immediate danger, staff will:

1. Call 999 for emergency services
2. Inform the DSL/DDSL immediately
3. Follow emergency procedures to ensure child's safety
4. Do not investigate or question the child extensively

7.2 Reporting Process

1. Staff member identifies concern through observation or disclosure
2. Complete Digital Concern Reporting Form immediately via our Custom LMS
3. Report verbally to DSL/DDSL without delay (same day)
4. DSL assesses risk and makes referral to Coventry Children's Social Care if needed
5. All actions, decisions, and rationales recorded electronically
6. Parents informed unless doing so would place the child at increased risk

8. Record Keeping

• All safeguarding concerns recorded electronically via our Custom LMS
• Records stored securely with password protection and access controls
• Records include dates, times, factual observations, and actions taken
• Information shared on a "need to know" basis only following GDPR principles
• Retention in line with statutory requirements and data protection legislation

9. Working with Parents & Carers

We believe in working in partnership with parents and will:

• Always be honest and transparent about safeguarding concerns where appropriate
• Seek parental consent for referrals unless it places the child at risk of harm
• Support families to access appropriate services and early help
• Share information with parents about our safeguarding approach during induction
• Maintain open communication channels for parents to raise concerns

10. Photography & Images

• Written parental consent required for all photography and videography
• Clear differentiation between learning journal photos and promotional images
• No images shared on social media without explicit consent
• Digital images stored securely and deleted when no longer needed
• Staff prohibited from using personal devices to take photos of children

11. Security Measures

Physical Security:

• Secure entrance with access control system
• Visitor signing-in procedures with identification checks
• Staff identification badges mandatory at all times
• Regular security audits of premises and outdoor areas

Digital Security:

• Secure Custom LMS with role-based access controls
• Regular cybersecurity training for staff
• Secure Wi-Fi networks with appropriate filtering
• Data encryption for sensitive information

12. Allegations Against Staff

All allegations against staff will be:

• Taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and fairly
• Reported to Coventry Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within 24 hours
• Managed in line with statutory guidance and partnership procedures
• Documented with clear outcomes and learning points
• Subject to disciplinary procedures where appropriate

13. Physical Intervention

Physical intervention is only used as a last resort when:

• A child is at immediate risk of harm to themselves or others
• It is proportionate and necessary to prevent injury
• It is documented and reported to parents immediately on the same day
• All instances are reviewed by management and used for staff training

14. Online Safety

We ensure children's safety online by:

• Filtering and monitoring all internet access through appropriate systems
• Teaching children age-appropriate online safety through planned activities
• Securing all digital devices and systems with password protection
• Maintaining clear social media and communication policies
• Regular audits of online safety practices

15. Whistleblowing

Staff are encouraged to report concerns about colleagues through:

• Direct confidential access to DSL and management
• Clear whistleblowing policy with protection from victimisation
• Anonymous reporting option via Custom LMS
• Regular reminders that safeguarding children overrides all other loyalties

16. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed:

• Annually by the DSL and management team
• Following any significant incident or changes in legislation
• With input from staff, parents, and Coventry safeguarding partners
• After any Ofsted inspection or recommendation